Author Interview: Alyson Noel

Alyson is the acclaimed author of the Immortals series. Evermore, the first installment, was #1 on the New York Times Bestsellers list, and praised by readers and book reviewers alike. The Ravenous Reader raves,"Alyson Noël created a well-detailed story that makes it easy for the reader to visualize both the characters and the world around them. Evermore has a familiar theme that attracts readers, but inside this book you’ll find that the author has added some unique details that sets it apart and will surprise you." Evermore's sequel, Blue Moon, will be released July 7th of this year.

Where did you get the inspiration to write Evermore?

EVERMORE was born out of grief. A few years ago I’d lost three people I loved in five months, and shortly after that I nearly lost my husband to leukemia (he’s in full remission now!). Experiencing that sort of intense grief and fear got me thinking a lot about life and death, mortality and immortality, the bonds that tie us even after a loved one is gone, and how our youth loving culture sort of seeks physical immortality by trying to remain youthful looking for as long as we can—and yet, what would happen if we really could achieve it? What would it mean for us, our loved ones, society in general?

I started writing it just after I wrote SAVING ZOE, which also deals with grief, but it wasn’t quite where I wanted it to be so I put it aside, wrote CRUEL SUMMER, (yup, more grief and unavoidable change!), then went back to revisit EVERMORE, and really expanded on the paranormal elements since it seemed like a good way to further explore those themes.

Why did you chose YA as your target audience?

I wish I could say it was all part of some master plan, but the truth is I just sort of fell into writing for kids and teens. With my first novel, FAKING 19, I just had this burning story I wanted to tell, and didn’t even think of it in terms of genre until my then agent was preparing it for sale! But I’m so glad it worked out the way it did, because I love this genre, it’s incredibly rewarding, and I have the best readers ever!

What character in your novel did you hold a special soft spot for?

Hmmm, tie between Ever and Riley. Ever because of the tremendous loss and grief she’s confronted with—I know just how she feels—and I have a lot of compassion for the guilt she carries—so sure she’s to blame for the accident that claimed her family. Also, I can relate to the way she feels at school, like she doesn’t fit in, so disconnected from everyone else—since I felt the same way in high school.

And Riley because she tries so hard to put on a brave and funny face despite the fact that the one thing she really wanted—to be a teen—will never be realized.

When you have writer's block, how do you get back on track?

Robert Mckee, author of the awesome book, STORY, taught me that writer’s block happens when you don’t know enough about the world you’re creating and to go back and research it some more. And so far, this technique has never once failed me!

How do you deal with negative feedback?

I refuse to even go there. Life’s too short and you can’t please everyone. I just focus on the positive, do what I do, and hope for the best!

Can you tell us a little about the projects you are currently working on?

Well, I just finished SHADOWLAND, the third book in the IMMORTALS series, and now I’m on to Untitled Book # 4, which will be followed by UNTITLED Book # 5!

What is the best part about being a writer?

The uniform! Having spent over a decade as a flight attendant in a polyester dress and fugly shoes, I’m really loving the sweatpants!

But seriously—the best part is the readers! I have the most awesome readers, and every bit of correspondence truly makes my day!

Have you always dreamed of writing or did it slowly become a passion of yours?

I was always an avid reader, raised by a mom who made books a priority, but it wasn’t until I finished reading Judy Blume’s ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET, in sixth grade, that I knew I wanted to be a writer. But other than a few really bad poems penned in seventh grade and some short stories written in high school, I mostly just talked about writing, rather than actually writing. Then, when 9/11 happened, I was working as a flight attendant in NYC and figured a career change was in order, so I enrolled in some online writing classes where I worked on revising a short story I’d written that ultimately became my debut novel, FAKING19. Through that class, I was led to my then agent who sold it in a two-book deal to St. Martin’s Press.

Who are your favorite authors?

Oh, I’ve got tons! And I’m always so afraid of leaving someone out, so while this is in no way a complete list, here are a few: Judy Blume, JD Salinger, Truman Capote, The Bronte sisters, Daphne DuMarier, Nick Hornby, Dennis Lehane, Stephen Chbosky, Cindy Pon, David Sedaris, Christopher Moore, Libba Bray, Meg Cabot, Jaclyn Moriarty, etc. . .

If given the chance would you like to have some of Ever's abilities?

When I first started writing the book, I was a little envious of her abilities, I thought it would be so cool, but as her story progressed, I changed my mind. Hearing thoughts and having access to all that personal information would be a huge burden. Though the manifesting skills she learns in BLUE MOON would be cool . . .

Alyson, thank you for the excellent interview!